Waterpear

Syzygium guineense

Woodland waterberry (Eng.), Waterpeer (Afr.)

The woodland waterberry makes a beautiful shade tree. In nature it usually occurs in lowland forests, in areas close to swamps and sometimes along river banks. It is a medium to large sized evergreen tree with a smooth greyish-white single stem on young trees and beautiful purplish-red young leaves, that turn a glossy, yellow green as they mature.

Planning

Difficulty

Easy

Flowering time

Spring

Fruiting time

Summer

Harvesting

Berries can be picked when they are ripe in late summer.

Propagation

Seed

It is best to sow seeds in autumn after collection, sow in a well-drained, but moist growing medium, seeds germinate easily. It is important to keep them moist.

Special features

Attracts birds

Birds eat the fruit when it is ripe and spread the seeds in their droppings.

Wet sites

Naturally grows in swampy areas.

Geography

Origin

Africa, central Africa, down to Kwazulu Natal in South Africa.

Natural climate

Sub-tropical

Environment

Light

Full Sun

Soil moisture

Moist

Soil type

Loam

Soil PH preference

Neutral

Frost hardiness

Half-Hardy

Uses

Medicinal

An infusion of the roots is used in African medicine to bathe a patient if an illness has become serious.